• Archives
  • Contact Us
  • Distribution
  • Advertising
  • Membership
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Muslim Views

  • News
    • All
    • Community
    • Featured
    • International
    • National
    Standing in solidarity with Dr Sizer

    Standing in solidarity with Dr Sizer

    The place of Cape Town in a burning South Africa

    The place of Cape Town in a burning South Africa

    The long wudu

    The long wudu

    Ramadaan: pursuing taqwa through tazkiyah

    Ramadaan: pursuing taqwa through tazkiyah

    The Holy Quran, Our Salvation: Ramadaan reflections

    The Holy Quran, Our Salvation: Ramadaan reflections

    Taking control of your life this Ramadaan

    Taking control of your life this Ramadaan

    Trending Tags

    • Business
    • Features
      • All
      • Arts
      • Awqaf
      • Books
      • Discussions with Dangor
      • Family
      • From Consciousness to Contentment
      • Health File
      • Hungry for Halaal
      • In Memoriam
      • Motoring
      • Sport
      • Survivor's Blog
      The long wudu

      The long wudu

      Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

      Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

      Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan

      Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan

      Supporting breastfeeding during Ramadaan

      Supporting breastfeeding during Ramadaan

      Muhammad Bin Salman a threat to Islamic values

      Muhammad Bin Salman a threat to Islamic values

      Take care of your skin throughout summer – and beyond

      Take care of your skin throughout summer – and beyond

      The nation’s sister

      The nation’s sister

      The joint IMA community health and masjid project in Langa, Cape Town

      The joint IMA community health and masjid project in Langa, Cape Town

      In discussion with Qaanitah Hunter

      In discussion with Qaanitah Hunter

    • Living Islam
      • All
      • Eid-ul-Fitr
      • Hajj Stories
      • Light from the Quran
      • Moulood-un-Nabi
      • Quran
      • Ramadaan
      The long wudu

      The long wudu

      Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

      Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

      Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan

      Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan

      Ramadaan: pursuing taqwa through tazkiyah

      Ramadaan: pursuing taqwa through tazkiyah

      The Holy Quran, Our Salvation: Ramadaan reflections

      The Holy Quran, Our Salvation: Ramadaan reflections

      Taking control of your life this Ramadaan

      Taking control of your life this Ramadaan

      Supporting breastfeeding during Ramadaan

      Supporting breastfeeding during Ramadaan

      Stop the march of intolerance and incivility

      Stop the march of intolerance and incivility

      Understanding the true nature of this world

      Allah Almighty: The True Beloved

    • Opinion
      • All
      • Editorial
      • Guest Writer
      • Letters to the editor
      Standing in solidarity with Dr Sizer

      Standing in solidarity with Dr Sizer

      The place of Cape Town in a burning South Africa

      The place of Cape Town in a burning South Africa

      The hijab ban ruling in India: courts used as political instruments

      The hijab ban ruling in India: courts used as political instruments

      Stop the march of intolerance and incivility

      Stop the march of intolerance and incivility

      The nation’s sister

      The nation’s sister

      The fight for a more equal and just America to fulfill MLK’s dream

      The fight for a more equal and just America to fulfill MLK’s dream

      Hamas tells UK: ‘Your decision is a crime against the oppressed’

      Hamas tells UK: ‘Your decision is a crime against the oppressed’

      Vaccinated or not? The oncoming mosque storm

      Vaccinated or not? The oncoming mosque storm

      An argument against compulsory vaccination

      An argument against compulsory vaccination

    • About Us

      About Us

      Advertising

      Newpaper Archives

      LEGAL

      Terms & Conditions

      Privacy Policy

    No Result
    View All Result

    No products in the cart.

    • News
      • All
      • Community
      • Featured
      • International
      • National
      Standing in solidarity with Dr Sizer

      Standing in solidarity with Dr Sizer

      The place of Cape Town in a burning South Africa

      The place of Cape Town in a burning South Africa

      The long wudu

      The long wudu

      Ramadaan: pursuing taqwa through tazkiyah

      Ramadaan: pursuing taqwa through tazkiyah

      The Holy Quran, Our Salvation: Ramadaan reflections

      The Holy Quran, Our Salvation: Ramadaan reflections

      Taking control of your life this Ramadaan

      Taking control of your life this Ramadaan

      Trending Tags

      • Business
      • Features
        • All
        • Arts
        • Awqaf
        • Books
        • Discussions with Dangor
        • Family
        • From Consciousness to Contentment
        • Health File
        • Hungry for Halaal
        • In Memoriam
        • Motoring
        • Sport
        • Survivor's Blog
        The long wudu

        The long wudu

        Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

        Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

        Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan

        Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan

        Supporting breastfeeding during Ramadaan

        Supporting breastfeeding during Ramadaan

        Muhammad Bin Salman a threat to Islamic values

        Muhammad Bin Salman a threat to Islamic values

        Take care of your skin throughout summer – and beyond

        Take care of your skin throughout summer – and beyond

        The nation’s sister

        The nation’s sister

        The joint IMA community health and masjid project in Langa, Cape Town

        The joint IMA community health and masjid project in Langa, Cape Town

        In discussion with Qaanitah Hunter

        In discussion with Qaanitah Hunter

      • Living Islam
        • All
        • Eid-ul-Fitr
        • Hajj Stories
        • Light from the Quran
        • Moulood-un-Nabi
        • Quran
        • Ramadaan
        The long wudu

        The long wudu

        Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

        Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

        Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan

        Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan

        Ramadaan: pursuing taqwa through tazkiyah

        Ramadaan: pursuing taqwa through tazkiyah

        The Holy Quran, Our Salvation: Ramadaan reflections

        The Holy Quran, Our Salvation: Ramadaan reflections

        Taking control of your life this Ramadaan

        Taking control of your life this Ramadaan

        Supporting breastfeeding during Ramadaan

        Supporting breastfeeding during Ramadaan

        Stop the march of intolerance and incivility

        Stop the march of intolerance and incivility

        Understanding the true nature of this world

        Allah Almighty: The True Beloved

      • Opinion
        • All
        • Editorial
        • Guest Writer
        • Letters to the editor
        Standing in solidarity with Dr Sizer

        Standing in solidarity with Dr Sizer

        The place of Cape Town in a burning South Africa

        The place of Cape Town in a burning South Africa

        The hijab ban ruling in India: courts used as political instruments

        The hijab ban ruling in India: courts used as political instruments

        Stop the march of intolerance and incivility

        Stop the march of intolerance and incivility

        The nation’s sister

        The nation’s sister

        The fight for a more equal and just America to fulfill MLK’s dream

        The fight for a more equal and just America to fulfill MLK’s dream

        Hamas tells UK: ‘Your decision is a crime against the oppressed’

        Hamas tells UK: ‘Your decision is a crime against the oppressed’

        Vaccinated or not? The oncoming mosque storm

        Vaccinated or not? The oncoming mosque storm

        An argument against compulsory vaccination

        An argument against compulsory vaccination

      • About Us

        About Us

        Advertising

        Newpaper Archives

        LEGAL

        Terms & Conditions

        Privacy Policy

      No Result
      View All Result
      Muslim Views
      No Result
      View All Result
      • News
      • Living Islam
      • Features
      • Opinion
      • Business
      • Imam Haron
      Home Features Family

      Sexual abuse of children in the Muslim community

      July 20, 2021
      in Family, Living Islam
      Reading Time: 4 mins read
      A A
      Sexual abuse of children in the Muslim community
      Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsappShare on Email

      Dr ESHAAM PALMER, in the first of a two-part series, deals with the prevalence and seriousness of the sexual abuse of children and adolescents in the Muslim community.

      CHILDREN are our future and thus they deserve special protection from adults. Every child is someone’s child; every child has feelings that can be hurt; every child can experience pain and humiliation; every child needs to feel safe and loved.

      The Prophet (SAW) said that children were weak and vulnerable and in need of greater care, and thus he encouraged people to be exceedingly merciful and kind to them. He (SAW) loved children and played with them, and never in his entire life did he harm or hurt a child.

      Children used to run to him and he would lift them up and flip them over, enjoying their laughter and happiness. He (SAW) would stroke their heads with his hand, which would make them feel his compassion and tenderness.

      Children would receive gifts from him (SAW) and he (SAW) would pass his blessed hand over their cheeks tenderly and kiss them.

      It is the state’s responsibility to ensure that the rights of children and adolescents are safeguarded. These rights are to be found in the Constitution of South Africa and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Optimus Study conducted by a group consisting of all the major child protection organisations in South Africa in 2016, shows shocking statistics that sexual abuse of children and adolescents is widespread: 36,8 per cent of boys and 33,9 per cent of girls have reported sexual abuse.

      Overall, 35,4 per cent, one in every three adolescents, reported having experienced some form of sexual abuse at some point in their lives.

      According to the SAPS, there were 24 387 sexual offences against children during the period 2018/19, amounting to 67 cases a day, or three cases every hour.

      The cases that are reported are just the tip of the iceberg as the overwhelming majority of incidents go unreported.

      The sexual abuse of children and adolescents is one of the most underreported crimes, and while there are a number of reasons for this phenomenon, one of the main reasons is that the abuser and the abuse survivor are often in a close relationship.

      It is rare that a stranger commits this act, and it is more commonly committed by family members, friends of the family, teachers, ‘clergy’ of all religions and other persons being in loco parentis.

      ‘In loco parentis’ is a legal doctrine holding that educators in schools or nursery schools, and babysitters or ‘nannies’ assume custody of children because they are deprived of protection from their parents or guardians.

      Sexual abuse of a child or adolescent is an exercise of power by the abuser to subdue and dominate the abuse survivor in order to satisfy his or her deviant sexual desires. Abusers come from backgrounds ranging from menial workers to intellectuals and are mainly male but females can also be abusers.

      In some instances, the parents of the abuse survivor may be aware of the abuse but do not address the matter as perhaps the mother herself is being abused by the abuser or is financially reliant on him.

      Acts of sexual abuse can range from grooming and ‘talking dirty’ to touching, kissing and penetration. Sexual abuse causes both physical and mental trauma, which may last for the lifetime of the abuse survivor and deprive her or him of a normal life.

      However, one should not become paranoid about sexual abusers as most men (and women) do not sexually abuse children or adolescents.

      Sexual abuse may also lead to violence as the family members or friends of the abuse survivor may take reciprocal violent action against the abuser.

      On the other hand, sexual abuse of children and adolescents is often accompanied by an element of physical or psychological violence to limit or eliminate resistance by the abuse survivor.

      In terms of the South African criminal justice system, sexual abuse of children and adolescents are serious crimes, and abusers could face life imprisonment in serious cases. The percentage of convictions is low as these crimes are generally not reported to the authorities.

      Further dangers that abuse survivors may suffer from the abuse is losing their virginity or becoming infected with HIV/ AIDS or a sexually transmitted disease.

      The courts are now better equipped to deal with these crimes, and abuse survivors are not required to face their abusers as they can give evidence by video and be assisted by a counsellor.

      Sex abusers also prey on children or adolescents who have a disability, like having an intellectual disability, or having a sight or speech impediment. Such disabilities exacerbate the seriousness of the crime as the abuse survivors are less able to defend themselves or understand what is happening to them.

      South Africa has the unenviable reputation of having the highest number of child rapes in the world.

      The Tears Foundation and the Medical Research Council state that 50 per cent of South Africa’s children will be abused (including sexual abuse) before the age of 18. Sexual abuse can be forced, pressured, coerced, unwanted, exploitative, non-contact or on-line.

      PART TWO covers the issues from an Islamic perspective, how to avoid sexual abuse and what to do when one is abused sexually.

      • Dr Eshaam Palmer is a constitutional law consultant.

      This article was first published in the December 2020 print edition of Muslim Views.

       

      Featured image: According to the SAPS, there were 24 387 sexual offences against children during the period 2018/19, amounting to 67 cases a day, or three cases every hour. (Stock photograph 123RF.COM)

      Tags: sexual abuse
      Previous Post

      Sexually abused by a darul uloom teacher

      Next Post

      Domestic violence and femicide: the silent war in South Africa

      Related Posts

      The long wudu
      Featured

      The long wudu

      April 6, 2022
      Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan
      Features

      Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

      April 5, 2022
      Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan
      Features

      Perspectives on physical and mental health during Ramadaan

      April 1, 2022
      Next Post
      Domestic violence and femicide: the silent war in South Africa

      Domestic violence and femicide: the silent war in South Africa

      Latest News

      Featured

      Standing in solidarity with Dr Sizer

      May 11, 2022
      Featured

      The place of Cape Town in a burning South Africa

      April 22, 2022
      Featured

      The long wudu

      April 6, 2022
      Features

      Exercise guidelines for Ramadaan

      April 5, 2022

      Browse by Tags

      gender based violence COVID-19 Sanzaf Cassiem Khan Stellenbosch University Palestine Steve Biko Galiema Haron Eid-ul-Fitr Shaikh Seraj Imam Abdullah Haron NPA Imam Haron Eid-ul-Adha GBV
      Muslim Views Logo
      GET IN TOUCH

      About Us

      Contact Us

      Newspaper Archives

      Terms & Conditions

      Privacy Policy

      WEBSITE SITEMAP

      NEWS

      National

      Local

      Community

      International

      BUSINESS

      Focus on Finance

      FEATURES

      Arts for All

      AWQAF

      Discussions with Dangor

      From Consciousness to Contentment

      Family

      Fusion Lifestyle

      Health File

      Hungry for Halaal

      In Memoriam

      Motoring

      Sport

      Survivor's Blog

      LIVING ISLAM

      Ramadaan

      Eid-ul-Fitr

      Hajj Stories

      Eid-ul-Adha

      Moulood-un-Nabi

      Quran

      Sunnah

      Hadith

      Light from the Quran

      OPINIONS & ANALYSIS

      Editorial

      Guest Writers

      Letter to the Editor

      © Muslim Views 2021. All Rights Reserved
      Website Developed by: Icon Designs
      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • Business
        • Focus on Finance
      • Features
        • Arts
        • Awqaf
        • Discussions with Dangor
        • From Consciousness to Contentment
        • Fusion Lifestyle
        • Health File
        • Hungry for Halaal
        • In Memoriam
        • Motoring
        • Sport
        • Survivor’s Blog
      • Living Islam
        • Eid-ul-Adha
        • Eid-ul-Fitr
        • Family
        • Hadith
        • Hajj Stories
        • Light from the Quran
        • Moulood-un-Nabi
        • Quran
        • Ramadaan
        • Sunnah
      • News
        • Community
        • International
        • National
      • Opinion & Analysis
        • Editorial
        • Guest Writer
        • Letters to the editor
      • Print Archives
      • About Us
      • Contact Us

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password?

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In
      We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
      Cookie SettingsAccept All
      Manage consent

      Privacy Overview

      This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
      Necessary
      Always Enabled
      Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
      CookieDurationDescription
      cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
      cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
      cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
      cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
      cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
      viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
      Functional
      Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
      Performance
      Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
      Analytics
      Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
      Advertisement
      Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
      Others
      Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
      SAVE & ACCEPT

      Add New Playlist

      Are you sure want to unlock this post?
      Unlock left : 0
      Are you sure want to cancel subscription?